Card products utilizing thin screen displays

ABSTRACT

A thin film video device is mounted onto a card stock and incorporated into a card, such as a greeting card. The thin film video device comprises a thin film video display coupled to a computer chip and a speaker. The thin film video device is powered by a local power source such as a small battery. The thin film video device is activated when the user unfolds the card, at which time an audiovisual message is displayed on the thin film video display and through the speaker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/389,626,filed on Apr. 19, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,126,393, which claims thebenefit of Provisional Application No. 62/660,715, filed on Apr. 20,2018, and the foregoing applications are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

It is known in the art to provide greeting cards that are able togenerate sound and/or pop up so-called 3 dimensional images. Typicallythe sound is generated by a small battery and computer chip that isembedded in the card that will produce sound and have an electricalconnection when the card is opened by the recipient. New technology hasevolved to the point where it can be used to improve upon the experienceof the prior art sound and 3 dimensional popup cards.

Also known in the art is the use of conventional small note pads thatare usually provided in a stack of removable, single sheets that alsoare provided with an adhesive substance along a portion of the backsideof each sheet so that they may be written upon and attached to varioussurfaces and removed thereafter. A common example of these is Post-Itnotes. The principles described herein utilize thin screen technologythat is incorporated into an electronic version of prior art note pads.In a preferred embodiment, the thin screen is incorporated into a modulethat mimics the physical dimensions of the prior art pads. The modulecan be provided with any number of attachment mechanisms on the backsideso that it may be attached to a particular surface; e.g., the module mayhave a magnetic attachment means to position it on a refrigerator orother metallic surface, or it could be provided with a commerciallyavailable adhesive that is easily removable, such as those provided byThe 3M Company, to attach it to other surfaces. The module with theincorporated front side screen is equipped with appropriate and wellknown microchips to allow the module to communicate over a network viacommunications standards such as WiFi and Bluetooth. Once connected, theuser would use a website and/or mobile application to enter messages tobe displayed on the screen, and other variables related to the messages,such as time and date, length, disposable, recurring, or link to otherapps, such as an e-calendar. The messages would be saved on the moduleand the website/app. The reader of the messages at the site of themodule could scroll through historic and saved messages through a smallGUI on the screen, which is preferably touch screen enabled.

The principles described herein recognize that technology has nowevolved to the point where video can now be displayed on screens or filmthat are thin enough such that they can be used in the manufacture ofgreeting cards. For example, thin and flexible OLED displays areavailable from companies such as Sony and LG. Other companies aredeveloping their own versions of such screens using LED technology forcertain applications, such as Apple's development of MicroLEDtechnology. Although not yet commercially available, the principlesdescribed herein utilize such screen technology in several new productsand services.

SUMMARY

In one example, a thin film video display is mounted onto card stock andincorporated into a greeting card and is powered by a small power sourcesuch as a conventional dime sized battery and activated when therecipient or other user unfolds the card. The activation mechanism ischosen from mechanisms known in the art, such as mechanisms typicallyused in prior art cards that produce sound effects.

In some embodiments, the card is supplied with prerecorded video and/ormessages appropriate for the intended use of the card. For example, abirthday card could include a prerecorded message of a famous figuresinging happy birthday, and a holiday card could include a snowfall orsummer ocean scenes. If used in other media, the principles disclosedherein could be utilized for consumer information. For example, thetechnology can be incorporated into a menu to show highlights or photosor specials. It could be used in a promotional brochure or marketingpackage, such as those used by agencies and firms looking to attractemployees or investors, to show a small video of appropriate promotionalmaterial in the brochure. The images that could be recorded anddisplayed are limitless.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figureswherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a product, namely a greeting card,utilizing a thin film video display in accordance with the principlesdisclosed herein.

FIG. 1B illustrates the greeting card in an open position.

FIG. 2 illustrates the front view of the thin film video display as usedwith a greeting card.

FIG. 3 illustrates the side view of the thin film video display as usedwith a greeting card.

FIG. 4 illustrates the back view of the thin film video display as usedwith a greeting card.

The figures are intended to facilitate the description of the principlesdisclosed herein. The figures do not illustrate every aspect of theprinciples disclosed herein and do not limit the scope of the principlesdisclosed herein. Other objects, features, and characteristics willbecome more apparent upon consideration of the following detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed illustration is disclosed herein. However, techniques,methods, processes, systems and operating structures in accordance withthe principles disclosed herein may be embodied in a wide variety offorms and modes, some of which may be quite different from thosedisclosed herein. Consequently, the specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are merely representative.

None of the terms used herein, including “a,” “an,” “the,” and “their,”are meant to limit the application of the principles disclosed herein.The use of “or” is intended to include “and/or,” unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. The terms are used to illustrate theprinciples disclosed herein and are not intended to be limiting.

One embodiment of a product utilizing a thin screen display is depictedin FIGS. 1-4 . As shown in FIG. 1 , a thin film video display 104 ismounted onto a card stock 102 and incorporated into a card 100, such asa greeting card. The thin film video display 104 is powered by a smallpower source and is activated when the user unfolds the card 100. Insome embodiments, the activation mechanism is a slider switch which iswell known in the art and is typically used in prior art cards thatproduce sound effects. In some embodiments, the activation mechanism isa light-activated sensor which connects the power supply or otherwisetriggers the thin film video display when exposed to light. In someembodiments, the activation mechanism is a more traditional switch,button, or other mechanism which may be manually activated by a user. Insome embodiments, the card may comprise card stock, other forms ofpaperboard, or other suitable materials such as a rigid or semi-rigidplastic or metal.

FIG. 2 shows the thin film video display 104 removed from the card 100.As shown in FIG. 2 , the thin film video display 104 is made up of athin film video screen 202, a screen input 204, and an audio jack 206. Aspeaker 208 is connected to the audio jack 206 through an audioconnector 210. The thin film video display 104 is configured to receivea video input signal through the screen input 204 and display the videoon the thin film video screen 202. Audio associated with the video willbe played through the speaker 208 connected to the thin film videodevice 104 through the audio jack 206. In some embodiments, the thinfilm video display 104 comprises electronic paper, or e-paper, such asthe E Ink displays commercialized by Pervasive Displays, Inc. In otherembodiments, the thin film video display 104 comprises organic lightemitting diode (OLED) technology, such as the rollable transparentactive-matrix OLED (AMOLED) panel demonstrated by Samsung Display.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the thin film video device 300 removedfrom the card 100. The thin film video device 300 comprises the thinfilm video display 104, the speaker 208, and a computer chip case 302housing a computer chip (not shown) and a battery (not shown). As shownin FIG. 3 , computer chip case 302 is coupled to the rear side of thinfilm video device 104 via supports 306 and an enclosed chip-to-displaypower connector 304. Enclosed in the chip-to-display power connector 304are connectors which allow power from the computer chip case 302 to betransferred to the thin film video display 104. Use of power connector304 eliminates the need for the thin film video display 104 to containits own wire or other connection to a power source. In some embodiments,only power is transferred through the chip-to-display power connector304. Information, such as the video data, is transferred from thecomputer chip out of the computer chip case 302 through chip datainput/output port 404 (shown in FIG. 4 ), then to screen input 204(shown in FIG. 2 ) of the thin film video display 104 via achip-to-display data connector 312. In other embodiments, both power andinformation are transferred from the computer chip case through chipdata input/output port 404 to screen input 204 via the chip-to-displaydata connector 312. The speaker 208 and audio connector 210 areconnected to the thin film video display 104 through the audio jack 206.An optional power source 314 and power cable 316 are connected to thebattery and/or computer chip inside the computer chip case 302 via thecomputer chip power input 402. In some embodiments, computer chip case302 may be replaced by a printed circuit board (PCB) or other suitableboard or surface on which the chip, power supply, chip-to-display powerconnector, and other components are mounted.

This fully connected thin film video device 300 may then be insertedinto the card 100 whereby only the thin film video display 104 isshowing through the card 100. The computer chip case 302 and speaker 208are preferably enclosed inside the card 100 so that they are hidden tothe user of the card 100, all as shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows the rear view of the thin film video device 300 and each ofthe connections between the thin film video display 104 and the computerchip enclosed in the computer chip case 302. The thin film video device300 comprises a switch or other suitable activation mechanism (notshown) to activate the thin film video display 104 when the switch orother mechanism is engaged. Activation mechanisms may include, but arenot limited to, a slider switch, a magnetic slider switch,light-activated sensor, a plain switch or button, or any other suitableactivation mechanism.

In some embodiments, power is supplied from the power source 314,through the power cable 316, and to the battery and/or computer chipinside the computer chip case 302 via the computer chip power input 402.The chip-to-display data connector 312 is plugged into the screen input204 at one end and the chip data input/output port 404 at the other end.This connection allows the thin film video display 104 to display theinformation provided by the computer chip inside the computer chip case302. If the information transferred from the computer chip inside thecomputer chip case 302 to the thin film video display 104 containsaudio, the audio will be played out of the speaker 208 which is pluggedinto the audio jack 206 through the audio connector 210. In someembodiments, audio connector 210 is connected to chip data input/outputport 404, thereby eliminating the need for audio jack 206 and allowingfor the audio to be transmitted directly from the computer chip case 302to speaker 208.

Greeting cards are often cherished by recipients and frequently lookedat over time. While handwriting is somewhat permanent, a video screenwill only be able to display video for the life cycle of its battery orpower source. With further reference to FIG. 4 , the battery insidecomputer chip case 302 is preferably positioned inside a coin cellbattery holder and connected to computer chip by a wire, through directcontact, via a printed circuit board (PCB), or other suitable means. Insome embodiments, the battery may be recharged by connecting an optionalpower source 314. The connection may be made via a standard electricalcharging cable, such as a mini USB cable or other suitable connector,coupled to a suitable power source. The cable or other connector can beused to recharge an internal battery within the computer chip case. Insome embodiments, the card 100 comprises a replaceable battery which maybe accessed and replaced via a small slot in the computer chip case. Asuitable battery, such as a commercially available coin battery, may beused for this purpose. In other embodiments, a thin-film battery may beutilized without departing from the principles disclosed herein.Further, in some embodiments, a wireless charging technology may beused, such as an induction charger that allows an internal battery to becharged wirelessly when the card is placed on a suitable charging base.The audiovisual message stored in the card is preferably stored innon-volatile memory so that it is not lost when the power source isdepleted or disconnected from the device.

The thin film video display 104 can be used to display prerecorded text,images, or video from a known database or from a recorded message. Forexample, a user may choose a message from a prestored database, such as,for example, video clip sharing service YARN (available athttps://getyarn.io), and select a prerecorded message to be downloadedto the card. In some embodiments, the thin film video device comprises awireless modem coupled to the chip which enables wireless communication(such as Bluetooth and/or WiFi connections) between the card and nearbyelectronics device such as a mobile phone or computer. In someembodiments, the thin film video device comprises a wired communicationport (such as a micro USB port) which enables a wired communication withan electronics device, such as computer or a kiosk at the location wherethe card is purchased. Instead of, or in addition to, using prerecordedmedia, a user can enter text and/or take a photograph and/or a video ona mobile phone or other recording device and download the media to thecard through the aforementioned means of communication. Software may berequired to format the data to meet the requirements of the chip andthin film display. If so, the user may download an application thatenables the data to be formatted accordingly. The user may also uploadthe media to a website to have the data formatted accordingly and thendownload the formatted data for use on the card. The disclosedapplication and or website optionally enables the user to modify themedia by, for example, adding filters or effects or additional text tothe media before downloading it to the card.

In some embodiments, a card is supplied with prerecorded video ormessages appropriate for the intended use of the card. For example, abirthday card could include a prerecorded message of a famous figuresinging happy birthday, and a holiday card could include a snowfall orsummer ocean scenes.

In accordance with the principles disclosed herein, a thin film videodisplay can be used to create an electronic small display akin to aPost-It note. The display case or mechanism can be supplied with aremovable tacky substance, such as 3M Commander, so that it can bedisplayed and/or moved to any location. In some embodiments, the displayis be supplied with a magnetic backing that can be fixed to anyappropriate surface. The display and micro controller can be accessedthrough a wireless connection through a website or mobile application sothat the user can enter digital information such as messages,photographs, or video and can control the display and or management ofthe information from the website or application. In some embodiments,the device also has the ability to store messages and display them at atime specified by the user. If a user is away from the location of thedevice, the user can enter messages to be displayed on the deviceremotely and can control the time at which the message will bedisplayed. For example, a user can post a message to take out thegarbage every Tuesday at 3:00 PM or take the dogs out at any timespecified by the user. In some embodiments, the user can program thedevice locally, either through a wired or wireless connection, to storepredetermined messages and/or schedule such messages to be displayed.The messages can be stored in the device, and the viewer of the devicecan have the ability to look at stored messages by using an icon orusing swipe technology known in the art.

The principles disclosed herein may also be utilized in other media forconsumer information. For example, the technology can be incorporatedinto a restaurant menu to display options for purchase and highlightcertain items, list specials, or display photos. It could also be usedin a promotional brochure or marketing package, such as those used byagencies and firms looking to attract employees or investors, to show avideo of prerecorded promotional or marketing material.

The foregoing detailed description is not intended to be limiting orrepresent an exhaustive enumeration of the principles disclosed herein.It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changesmay be made in such details without departing from the spirit of theprinciples disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic message device, comprising: ahousing having a front side and a rear side, the front side comprising atransparent surface; a thin film video screen visible through thetransparent surface; a computer chip communicatively coupled to the thinfilm video screen; a wireless modem communicatively coupled to thecomputer chip; a battery electrically coupled to the computer chip andthe thin film video screen; a switch communicatively coupled to thecomputer chip, the switch having an on position and an off position;wherein the computer chip and the thin film video screen are configuredto display a video when the switch is moved to the on position.
 2. Theelectronic message device of claim 1, wherein the rear side comprises anattachment portion for attaching the device to a surface.
 3. Theelectronic message device of claim 2 wherein the attachment portioncomprises a magnet or an adhesive material.
 4. The electronic messagedevice of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker communicatively coupledto the computer chip; and wherein the speaker and the computer chip areconfigured to play an audio message when the switch is moved from theoff position to the on position.
 5. The electronic message device ofclaim 4, further comprising: a computer chip case housing the computerchip; the computer chip case comprising a chip data input/output port;the computer chip case comprising an audio jack; wherein the speaker iselectrically coupled to the chip data input/output port.
 6. Theelectronic message device of claim 1, further comprising a computer chippower input configured to be connected to an external power source. 7.The electronic message device of claim 1, wherein the computer chip casecomprises a battery removal slot.
 8. The electronic message device ofclaim 7, further comprising a computer chip power input configured to beconnected to an external power source.
 9. The electronic message deviceof claim 8, wherein the computer chip case comprises a battery removalslot.
 10. The electronic message device of claim 1, wherein the thinfilm video screen comprises an e-paper display.
 11. The electronicmessage device of claim 1, wherein the thin film video screen comprisesan OLED panel.
 12. The electronic message device of claim 1 wherein thebattery is removable.
 13. The electronic message device of claim 1wherein the on-off switch is operable to be turned on or off remotely.14. The electronic message device of claim 1, wherein the switch is alight-activated sensor.
 15. The electronic message device of claim 1,wherein the thin film video screen has a depth of 1.0 millimeters. 16.The electronic message device of claim 1, wherein the thin film videoscreen has a depth of 0.923 millimeters.
 17. The electronic messagedevice of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured as a rectangle.